Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 5?The report of the committee on Revitalization of DecliningCongregations was taken up. Item 1 was adopted. The report as awhole was approved and is as follows:REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ONREVITALIZATION OF DECLINING CONGREGATIONSDear Fathers and Brethren,The Committee does not have the report for you that we hoped to have.The task before us is immense, considering the complexity of the need, whereit exists. The committee intended to meet during the year, but our progressdid not seem to warrant such a meeting as yet. The major issue before us isthat the help we propose to give to congregations must be given from theSynod through the Presbyteries. And this means that the Presbyteries willneed to approve of, and help our determination of, which congregationswithin their boundaries are needing, (not to mention desiring), our help.The goal of our committee's work, therefore, is to formulate someguidelines to the Presbyteries which they will then implement in the cases ofchurches which are in need. We are, in this report, setting before the Synodthe committee's tentative plan of action, seeking Synod's counsel and/orcorrection, to prepare the way for a full-fledged report to be given to the1997 Synod.What follows, then, are the steps we hope to take:I. Adoption and circulation of a basic questionnaire regardingcongregational health, for response by all denominational Sessions. Wewould ask the Synod to instruct its Sessions to respond to the questionnairefaithfully.II. From the questionnaires, identification of two congregations (fromseparate Presbyteries) for pilot revitalization work during the 1995-1997years.ill. Written permission sought from each of the relevant Presbyteriesinvolved, as well as from the two Sessions themselves, for these churches tobecome active in the revitalization programs proposed.IV. Initiation of the committee pilot program, and begun by phone ormail to the churches, for initial steps to be taken by the congregations.V. Committee visits to each of the churches for encouragement,accountability, instruction, and further planning.VI. Continuing follow-up of these congregations in their efforts towardseeking renewal from the Lord.VII. Reports prepared as follows:A. Congregations to their respective Presbyteries;B. Presbyteries to Synod's Revitalization Committee, conveyingrelevant information;C. Synod's Committee to these Presbyteries;D. Synod's Committee to the Synod of 1997, this report to presentas fully as possible its findings, together with guidelines to the Presbyteriesfor implementation to other needy congregations within their bounds.